Crypto Regulation: Court’s Ruling Grants Coinbase Partial Victory Over SEC
Coinbase sued the US regulator over a lack of clarity regarding cryptocurrency classification and oversight function by the top two US regulators.
Coinbase vs the US SEC
The case emerged following a 2022 petition by Coinbase, in which the exchange asked the US SEC to offer firmer guidance on how digital assets should be classified. Coinbase sought more clarity from regulators on which digital assets would fall under the watch of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and which would fall under the supervision of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
This clarity reduces the ambiguity in classifying digital assets within the wider cryptocurrency market. However, in a January 13 ruling, judges stated that the SEC’s move to reject the exchange’s request for crypto-specific regulations was “arbitrary and capricious.”
The court explained that the agency must provide insufficient detail to support its actions, especially as it involves an emerging technology with unique regulatory matters. While the ruling was a victory for Coinbase, it doesn’t compel the US SEC to bend.
It is worth noting that this ruling differs from the US regulator’s enforcement action against the crypto firm. In that legal battle, the US SEC claimed that the leading crypto exchange didn’t have the required license to operate as a clearing agency, exchange, or broker.
This case is also in the appeal court, with the ruling due this month. Even though the partial victory in the exchange’s legal tussle against the SEC offers some hope for clearer regulatory guidance, the SEC’s reluctance to begin rulemaking may extend the uncertainty that has dogged the cryptocurrency sector for years.
However, the regulator hasn’t issued any statement on its next line of action.
Lingering Security Issues and User Concerns with Coinbase
Meanwhile, numerous security issues have affected user confidence in the Coinbase platform. For example, digital asset researcher ZachXBT says scammers steal more than $150 million in users’ money annually.
Such revelations showed that the exchange has continuously failed to protect its users’ funds effectively. While Coinbase has taken steps to mitigate fraud, the company has been criticized for handling user account lockouts.
These lockouts, intended to prevent unauthorized access, have prevented legitimate users from accessing their funds and making trades. Though this practice aims to protect users, it has led to substantial frustration with affected individuals who couldn’t access their accounts during crucial trading moments.
Such security issues lead to user complaints and damage Coinbase’s reputation, as the platform’s inadequacies cause users to miss profitable trading opportunities.
Hence, users are worried that the company may lack the tools to stop fraudulent activities on the platform. Thus, it is no wonder that some users are seeking Coinbase alternatives.
This decrease in user confidence could cause a surge in the volatility of trading pairs such as ETH/USD and BTC/USD on the Coinbase trading platform. Hence, there could be decreased trading volume on Coinbase as traders move to safer platforms.
Coinbase Lists Meme Coin PNUT
The popular crypto exchange has announced the addition of Peanut the Squirrel, a Solana-based meme coin, to its platform to continue diversifying its offerings. This coin, which rose to fame after a viral social media movement in 2024, will be listed by the exchange today, pending liquidity requirements.
The news has already spiked the value of PNUT, with the coin up 10% shortly after the news broke. The token is up 23% within the last day and trades at $0.6226.
Despite the gains, PNUT remains below its all-time high of $2.47, which it reached in November 2024. Listing PNUT on Coinbase is part of the exchange’s bigger plan to delve into the meme coin sector.
Meme coins, like PNUT, have gained considerable traction due to the positive attitude of their communities.
Market Impact
Even though Coinbase has security issues, its expansion into meme coins makes the platform attractive to traders seeking to profit from current trends. It could also boost user engagement, increase trading volumes, and enhance Coinbase’s market position as a diversified platform catering to long-term and speculative investors.
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